jnstropic

Kylie, my world is getting warmer for the last 15 years. It started with a ginger plant that a few collectors had in south Florida. They grew it nicely but never got it to flower. Then one of my friends bloomed the plant. A year or two later he gave me a piece of that ginger. I flowered it in two years and it has flowered ever since. The ginger is now a staple in new landscapes. A little before that I had a group of nobile type Dendrobiums (orchids) that thrived and flowered. This type were notably difficult to bloom in our area because it was too hot, except for this new strain. But as we got warmer winters all but one of the plants died.
After hurricane Andrew 15 years, I built a new greenhouse. The roof was made of plastic panels and the side was screen. Every December 15th I had the same panels for the sides which stayed on until March 15th. In the winter I used propane to keep it warm, only for 4 to 6 nights. The panels on the side were opened every morning. It was better to be a little cool rather then cooked in the suns heat. Then about 9 years ago I started using well water on the floor and never again needed propane. Now for the last 3 year years I have not even closed my greenhouse.

In my Coral Gables Daily Photo blog and my TOG site I have posted things that have happened in my garden this year that has never happened before. I know my world has warmed and has been for the last 20 years,

Fifty years ago I planted a breadfruit tree. The first try lasted 2 years and the second try lasted 3 years. The 3 year one grew to twelve feet or more tall. They didn't freeze but the many hours below the low 40's weakened the plant and the roots were hit with fungus and died. Well today I planted a breadfruit. It's not a regular one but a grafted one that produces a superior fruit.